3 Gifts of Endings and Beginnings

I started this blog back in August, but for whatever reason, never finished it:

On the day my son, Zach, headed out the door to high school, I posted on Facebook:

Today is my last first day of school as a parent.

Twenty-three years ago I had my first first day, when I dropped my oldest son at the door of his kindergarten classroom. This year, my youngest begins his senior year in high school and I experience my last first day.

With our son, Zach, at Senior Night at the opening football game.

Lasts. Firsts.

It's important to celebrate both, to recognize milestones and remember.

In my gratitude journal this month, I was asked to list 3 Gifts of Endings and 3 Gifts of Beginnings.

Endings:

1. The last year of Chandler High football games and marching band.

2. The last year of back-to-school shopping.

3. The last year of active parenting.

Beginnings:

1. My son on the threshold of adulthood.

2. My son sorting through college applications.

3. Me - on the threshold of a new season of life.

Life is seasons. (Nothing surprising there.)

Recently a friend asked me if I had anything in my life that didn't revolve around cancer.

My mind went completely blank.

I admit, I couldn't think of anything for a few moments. I write about cancer. I research about cancer. Many people I love have cancer.

At times it is overwhelming, but in the middle of all of it, I am still a mother. I am still a grandmother. I am still a daughter, a friend, a sister, a wife. I am still living life with all it seasons, with all its beginnings and endings.

I want to take time to recognize both, to not miss the celebrations that are involved, to not miss the saying goodbye to what is, to the embracing of what will be. Because this is the biggest challenge of all: to live with a welcome heart, to life, with all its seasons.

How about you? Are you grateful for three gifts of endings and three gifts of beginnings?